Dredging-machine



2 Sheets-Sheet 1.

(No Model.)

W. T. URIE. DRBDGING MACHINE.

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Yu: Nonms suns co. mo'roumo.. wAsu UNITED STATES PATENT OEEIGE.

-WILLIAM T. RIE, OF KANSAS CITY, MISSOURI.

DREDGlNG-MACHINE.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No 498,143, dated May 23, 1893.

Application led October 18, 1892. Serial 110.439,301. @lo model.)

To a/ZZ whom t may concern:

Be it known that I, 'WILLIAM T. URIE, of Kansas City, county of Jackson, and State of Missouri, have invented a new and useful Improvement in Dredging-Machines, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to dredgers or excavators, and has reference more particularly to that class of dredgers in which an endless chain of buckets is mounted on a frame or scow in such manner that they may be caused to dig and elevate the soil to the scow from which it may be removed by suitable means.

The invention consists,-iirst: in forming the ladder or frame which sustains the chain of buckets wider at the lower end than at the upper end in order that the chain may be supported rigidly throughout its length, and the objectionable sagging of the loaded section avoided; that the buckets may be presented in the most eifectual positions to properly dig and elevate lthe soil, and that the wear on the chain may be reduced to a minimum owing to the extended bearing surface at the lower wide end of the frame. Secondly: In so connecting the buckets to the chain in the peculiar manner hereinafter'set forth that as they pass around the lower guide wheel they will be caused toact with a scooping effect, and as they pass around theupper guide their rear ends will be tipped upwardly to effectually dump the contents; that they will be capable of a limited longitudinal motion With relation to the chain to assist in loosening their contents, and that they will Withstand the severe lateral strains to which they are subjected in practice. Thirdly: In a cutter or agitator acting at one or both sides of the buckets, of such -form that in the event of the earth caving in itpwill be prevented from clogging orinjuringthebuckets. Fourthly: In various details of construction of the several parts designed to render the machine strong and compact as awhole and its operation rapid and eectual.

Referring to the accompanying drawings,- Figure l is a longitudinal sectional elevation through a dredger having my improvements embodied therein. Fig. 2 is ahorizontal section through the forward portion ofthe same showing the relative location of the forcepump and well. Fig. 3 is a longitudinal section through the lower end of the ladder or elevator frame, and the chain and bucket. Fig. 4t is a top plan view of the parts represented in Fig. 3. Fig. 5 is a vertical transverse section on the line 5-5 of Fig. 4, and looking inthe direction of the arrow. Fig. 6 isa side elevation of one of the cutters or agitators removed.

'Referring to the drawings,-A, represents a scow or frame which is formed with a longitudinal channel or well communicating with the outside water, and extending to about midway of its length.

B, represents an excavator which is sustained at one end of the scowin such manner that it may be lowered and manipulated according as the nature of the work may demand. The excavator may receive motion from an engine C, through intermediategcaring D, at its upper end, or it may be driven in any other suitablemanner.

The excavator proper consists of a single chain E, and a series of buckets F, secured atintervals thereon. The transverse pins, connecting the links kof the chain, are at intervals extended beyond the sides of the same, and are provided With rollers G, which are adapted to travel upon the vertical iianged edges of a ladder or frame H, which is formed preferably, but not necessarily, of channel- I iron, as more fully described hereinafter. Each of the buckets is composed of a flat side F', of channel iron, and a body and bottom F of sheet steel which is bent into suitable form, and has its edges riveted to the vertical e'dges of the side. The buckets are secured above the chains by means of two stir-l rups f2 and f3, which have their horizontal portions mounted loosely in transverse journal boxes f4 secured to the side of the bucket, and have their ends Vbent into theform of eyes; the stirrups'at the forwardend of the bucket being considerably shorter than those at the rear, the f purpose of which will presently appear. The eyes of the stirrup at the forward end of the bucket encircle the extended ends of the transverse pins between the rollers and the links of the chain, while bearings secured to the lower end of the frame the eyes of the stirrup at the rear of the bucket encircle the extended'end of one of thetransverse pins of the chain, and is prevented from escaping therefrom by means of washers. 4By sustaining the buckets on top of a single chain as distinguished from mounting them between two chains, durin'gthe cutting action they are sustained beyond the chain in such manner that the latter will not be brought in contact with the earth and subjected to wear. It is of advantage also in that the buckets will pass through a greater radius atthe up per end of the frame which is favorable to the effectual discharge of its contents. chain passes at its upper end over a sprocket `wheel Llmounted in bearingsz', secured to the ladder or f rame, and atlits lower end aroundI a large sprocket wheel' I which is mounted in as `more fully described hereinafter.

By connecting the buckets to the chain by means of the stirrups as above described, they willbe capable of a limited longitudinallniov'ement with relation to the chain,sothatas the loaded buckets pass over the sprocket wheel at theupper end of the frame, the weight of the load will cause them to move quickly forward in relation tolthe chain, and on being suddenlyar'rested, will cause their contents to be forcibly discharged.

As aifurther advantage of connecting' the buckets as described, and owing to the fact l that an extended bearing surface is alorded for the horizontal portionsof thestirrups,-it is practically impossibile for them to move laterally. Thisiis of importance as the bucketsin practice,aresubjectedto severe lateral strains when theframeis'movedfrom-side to side. inpassing around the larger sprocket `wheel the positions-of the linksof the chains aresuch thatthe forward end of the bucket will be held down bythe `short stirruppand its rear end tipped upward bythe longer stirrupgthereby giving to the bucket a trueand (positive scooping movementiwhich is highly eiectual in digging. As the buckets pass around the upper sprocket wheel their rear l endswill, in a like manner, be thrown up-` wardowing tothe `positionof the links and theirela'tive length of thetwo stirrups which action willgreatlyassist in the discharge of the contents of the bucket.

The ladder or frame as before stated is preferably formed of channel iron, and is cornposed of two `bars which extend obliquely, downwardly, and outwardly, and are joinedat their lower ends, the frame atthisrpoint being thusmuch wider than at the top.

Theesprocket wheel, at the lower end `of the frame extends infa longitudinal slot J, formed in the frame,.and is provided with a shaft mountedat its endsin boxes K, K', secured to the `frame at the sides of the slot. By forming theframe Wider at its lower end'than at its `upper end arigid and substantially continuous support is aorded for the chain throughout its length, and the objectionable The l minimum.

sagging of the upper or lower section pre vented. Further, the extendedradius through which the chain moves in passing over the large sprocket wheel presents the buckets in the most favorable position for acting effectively, and reduces the wear on the chain to a It is to bcnoted that under this construction the strain due to the longitudi nal thrust of the frame will be received endwise by the bars composing the frame, so that they are thus adapted to withstand severe ,strains without sagging-or bending sidewise.

Iprefer to make the bucket of such size that its opposite'sides will be in line with the sides of the bars composing the frame, and this for the reasonrthatithe bucket will diga channel of the size to ad'mit of the frame readily following the buckets.

In order that the soil may bcloose'nedltolbe .the more readily received by the'buckets,` I

secure to the shaft carnyingfthe lowersprocket wheel, on opposite sides, cuttingplates L. lEach of these cutting plates consistsof adisk ,provided with openings therethrough,Y and adjacent to the openi-ngswith outwardly extending blades or cutters, the constructionbeing such that while the water will be frceto y. ow throughtheopenings, the disks'will` act asashield to `preventthe soil, in case' of a cave in'` from clogging t-he buckets ori'njnring the same.

In order that 'the dredged material maybe lquickly removedfrom the scow,`l arrange the upper end of the excavator chains so thatfthe `buckets will discharge theincontentsinto a lchute M,fle ading tothe rear endof thelcngi- ,tudinal well beforereferred5to.` In this well the dredged material isinti mately mixedwith the Watertherein, and is drawninto-the `receivingpipeof asuction pump and `forced therefrom through a pipe Nytothe `desired point. By extending.thereceivingpipe of thexpumpiinto the well, acontinuous current is-created` at the bottom of thechutegandrthe ,material` entering this current will follow the same, and be` thusidischarged.

While Ihaveshown and describedmy invention as `being- `embodied in* the preferred form, it isjto be understood that various changes, which suggest themselves` to the u skilled mechanic, may be made,fprovid`edthe `operation of theapparatus is substantially as ;above setiforth.

Havingthus described i myinvention, what l. The sustainingv frameor guidefor an endless chain of excavators," saidfr-ame comprising continuous upper and lower track rails diverging` from the-upperl endland` provided at both ends with carrying wheels whereby a substantiallycontinuous land? rigid supporti's Valorded for the chain and sagging prevented.

f endless chain of excavators, 4said frame `com-` 2.\The sustaining frame or guide `for an prising upper and lower guide rails or tracks connected at both ends and slotted longitudises nally at its lower end to receive the sprocket wheel, and provided on opposite sides of the slot with bearings for the same.

3. The chain and bucket sustaining and guiding frame for bucket dredges, -comprising upper and lower guide rails diverging t0- ward the lower end, chain carrying wheels at both ends of such diameter as to bring their peripheries substantially into line with thev guide rails, whereby the buckets in passing around the lower wheel are given a long, sweeping action, and in passing around the upper wheel a quick dumping movement.

4. In a dredging apparatus, a chain and bucket-sustaining frame comprising upper and lower single rails diverging toward their lower ends and united by a lsemi-circular curve, and chain-carrying wheels at the ends of said frame corresponding in diameter with the distance between the rails to bring their peripheries into line with the outer surfaces of the same.

5. A chain and bucket sustaining frame for bucket dredges, consisting of upper and lower rails united at their lower ends by a semicircular curved section from which they converge toward their upper ends, the curved section being slotted for the reception of a carrying wheel for the chain, and the said rails being channeled on their outer faces to form parallel guidetracks.

6. In a dredging machine, the combination with the chain, of the excavators or buckets, and the stirrups having their horizontal portions mounted in bearings on the buckets and their ends jointed to the chains.

7. In a dredging machine the combination with the chain, of the buckets or cutters provided on their under side with transverse bearings, the front and rear stirrups having their horizontal portions mounted in saidbearings on the bucket, and their ends in the form of eyes encircling the transverse pins of the chain.

8. In a dredging machine, the combination with the endless chain, of the bucket or cutter, the front and Vrear links jointed respectively to the chain and the buckets, and capable of vibrating to permit longitudinal movement of the bucket the said front link being shorter than the rear whereby, -when the bucket moves forward its rear end is thrown outward, or away from the chain.

9. In a dredging 1nachine,\the combination with the excavators or buckets the carrying chain, the supporting shaft, and the sustain,

hand, this 17th day of October, 1892, in the presence ot' two attesting witnesses. l r.

Y WILLIAMA T. URIE. Witnesses:

W. R. KENNEDY, RAYMOND'F. BARNES. 

